Silk reeling machine



Septv6, 1938- G.. 3. BECKMAN 2,128,903

SILK REE'LING MACHINE Filedbeo. 18. 1935 v sheets-'sheet 1 Sept. 6,1938.4" G. s. BECKMAN 2,128,903

l' SILK 'REELING MACHINE Filed Declvl, 1933 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 M N W Sept.6, 1938. G. s. BECKMAN SILK`REELING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec.18, 1933 v v l l ma @ik 91M v M Sept. 6, 1938.. 1 G. s. BECKMAN2,123,903

S ILK REELINGr MACHINE v Filed Deofl, `1953 Sheets-Sheet 4 Sept. 6,1938. G. s. BECKMAN 2,128,903

y SILK REELING MACHINE Filed Dec. 18, 1955 7 Sheets-*Sheet 5 Lien; 01:-

Sept. 6, 1938. G. s. BECKMAN 2,128,903

SILK REELING MACHINE Filed Dec. 18, 19:55 7 sheets-sheet 6 Sept. 6,1938.

G. S. BECKMAN SILK REELING MACHINE Filed Dec. 18, 19:53

7 Sheets-Sheet '7 w W/MQ/mvm Patented` Sept. 6,. 1938 i UNITED STATES'2,128,903 SILK REELING MACHINE Gustaf Sigfrid Beckman, Cranston, R..li., assignor to Universal Winding Company, Boston, Mass., a corporationof Massachusetts Application December 18, 1933, Serial No. 702,984

31 Claims.`

'I'his invention relates to improvements in filaturing or silk-reelingapparatus and particularly to a machine for automatically supplying silklam'ents from cocoons and twisting the strands into a thread which isthereafter reeled into skeins or hanks or wound into other forms.

One object of the invention is to provide a machine or apparatus of thetype indicated havin g means for'drawing the laments from the cocoons,twisting them into a thread and autamatically supplying fresh cocoons inaccordance with requirements as the laments from the delivering cocoonsbecome broken or exhausted.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the typeindicated .having means controlled automatically by the size of thethread being produced to connect fresh :laments therewith as required tomaintain uniformity of size in the-thread.

and reeling operations.

Another object of the invention is to provide 'a machine of the typeAindicated having means for .iioating the Acocoons in a bath with theliquid circulated and heated toeect degumming of the silk and looseningof the laments from' the cocoons.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the typeindicated having means for automatically carrying off or dischargingfrom the bath the-depleted cocoons or the larvae residue therefrom.

Another object of the invention-.is to provide a machine of the typeyindicated having automatically-actuated means for arresting itsoperation when the thread breaks.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine o1' the typeindicated having a plurality of reeling units of compact arrangementadapted for continuous operation from va com- 454 mon source of power.

Another object of the invention is to provide'a 'machine of the typeindicated of` simple construction, efficient in use for the purposespeciiied and proof against derangement orv getting .out of Ei@ order. Y

Further objects of the invention are set forth in the followingspecication which describes a preferred form of construction oftheapparatus, by

\'way of example, as illustrated by the accomss panyins drawings..

Another object of the invention is to provide*` the cocoons to thereeling basin and a rotary gatherer-.is employed for selectivelygrasping the In thedrawings:

Fig. 1 is an end View of an improved silk-reeling machine constructed inaccordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged part-sectional side view of the machine showingthe ilament-feeding and cocoon-supplying mechanisms and `illustratingthe ushing door for the reeling basin opened to permit return of thewater to its source of supplyand ejectment of the spent cocoons;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of one unit of the machine;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 2 showing thecocoon-supplying mechanism active to feed a fresh cocoon into locationfor unwinding its iilament;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view of a portion of the reeling basinshowing the sluice-gate opened to permit circulation of the water andthe passage of the spent cocoons therefrom; l

Fig. 6 is a front view of the upper portion of the machine showing twoof the winding or reeling units and illustrating the different positionsof the various elements of the mechanisms during the Areeling and afterthis operation'has been arrested;

Fig. 7 is an end view of the reeling mechanism;

Fig. 8 is a similar end view looking in the'oppo- I site direction; and

Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating the electrical connections forcontrolling the cocoon-supplying means and the stopping mechanism forarresting the operation of a unit of the machine.

The present improved maturing or silkqreeling machine comprises, ingeneral, a supply-basin for containing reserve cocoons of raw silk, anda supplemental reeling basin into'whichthe cocoons are fed individuallyby automatic transferring means and from which location the silkvlaments are drawn oil from the cocoons. Means.' are' provided forcirculating warm emulsion iiuld through the two basins to oat and degumthe cocoons whereby to facilitate, the release of the laments therefrom,together with means for ejecting the denuded cocoons from the reelingbasin after 'their silk becomes exhausted. A. take-up device is providedfor maintaining the individual filaments taut during the transfer oflaments and twisting themabout the strands drawing upwardly to thethread being reeled.

Suitable means for winding the spun thread onto a reel or other carrierare arranged above ccmes'exhausted.

the basins and a stopping mechanism is provided for arresting thewinding or reeling operation when the thread breaks or its supply be-Means for gauging the thickness or the thread as it is spun operateautomatically upon breakage or exhaustion of any of the filaments toenergize an electrically-controlled cocoon-supplying mechanism to causea fresh cocoon to be delivered to the reeling basin and its ilamentjoined to the others g twisted whereby to maintain the size or thicknessof the thread substantially uniform.

. Referring rst to Fig. l ci the drawings, the present improved machineembodies a. tray-like tank 2 supported'rom the floor by legs 3 andserving-as a mounting or bed for a plurality'of reeling units. With theexception of Fig. 6, the present-wings illustrate only one reeling unit,but it is to be understood that any desired number of similar unitsmaybe arranged in series along the length of the bed or tank 2.

Bolted to the odset marginal rim of the tank 2 are cross-struts t whichbridge its top at spaced intervals therealong. Mounted upon the struts 5are upright frames t which support the winding or reeling mechanisms, tobe-"later described.

Supported upon spaced ribs d rising from the bottom of the tank 2adjacent the forward end thereof is a relatively narrow extended tank orbasin i8 which serves as a hopper or container for holding the reservesupply of cocoons c. The

basin .it is fastened in place by means of screws i2 passing throughangular sheet-metal feet i3 on its side and screwed into threaded holesin bosses il on the bottom of the tank 2. Surrounding an opening idinthe bottom of the basin i0 is a iiange i5 to which is connected a pipei3. The pipe i6, which serves as the means `for sup- Flying water or anemulsion to the basin, extends upwardly through a hanged opening i1 inthe bottom of the tank 2, see Fig. 4. As shownV in Fig. l, the pipe i5is joined to a horizontal pipe nected to a suitable pump, not hereinillustrated,

which may be supplied with water previously regulating the ow of waterto the supply-basin Within the basin i3 is a raisedioor or falsebottom22 supported on bifurcated legs 23. A series of perforations 24 areprovided in theiioor 22, ,see Fig. 3, through which the water iscirculated inthe manner as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 4. Restingupon the false-bottom 22 are sheet-metal members 25 of triangular shapein plan view, see Fig. 3, with vertical walls converging toward therearward side of the basin I0. The rearward wall of the basin i8 isformed with a rectangular opening 23 which registers with the narrowerend of the space between the walls of the members 25. As beforeexplained, the Vwater enters the upper portion of the basin I0 `furatedto adapt the water to debouch therefrom to setup a current tendingtoward the opening 25 whereby to float the cocoons therethrough.

lit will be understood that a plurality of members 25 are provided alongthe length of the basin I0 arranged in spaced relationship to partitionits interior into substantially funnel-shaped compartments, one for eachreeling unit.

Resting upon bosses on the bottom of the tank 2 are a series oftanks orbasins 30, each disaieaecs posed opposite one of the openings 23 in therearward side of the supply-basin l0 and extending nearly to theopposite rearward side of the tank 2. Each basin or tank is ofrectangular shape with its interior divided into a number ofcompartments as later described. The forward end of each basin 30 isprovided with'angular sheetmetal ears 3i riveted to the rearward side ofthe basin i0, as shown in Fig. 3, while at its opposite end are feet 32screwed to bosses on the bottom of the tank 2, see Fig.` 2.

Substantially midway of the ends of the tank 30 is a separator-plate orpartition 33 having lateral vears 34 at its ends riveted to the sides ofthe tank. The compartment 35 thus provided has at its forward end anopening 36 which registers with the opening 26 in the rearward side ofthe basin i0 to permit the iluid and cocoons to pass therethrough intothecompartment.

Atthe rear of the partition 33 is a shelf-like frame 38, see Fig'. 4,having an inclined wail 38 provided with lugs '40 fastened to thepartition. From the inclined wall 39 the shelf or lframe 36 reachesrearwardly and then downwardly to terminate in a forwardly extendingfoot 4i screwed to the bottom ofthe tank 30. By this construction alaterally-extending chamber 42 is formed' tom of the tank 30 whichregisters with an opening 48 in the foot 4I of the frame 38. 'I'he pipevi3 leads from the pipe I8, previously mentioned,

and a valve 49 is provided in the line for regu-A lating the rate ofilow of water to the reeling basin 45, see Fig. 1. .A

Fastened tothe shelf-portion of the frame 38 is a plate 50 which slopesdownwardly toward the rearward end 'of the tank 30. Adjacent itsrearward end the plate 50 is provided with a horizontal foot 5I whichrests upon the floor of the tankv 30 and' is formed with a rectangularaperture 52. The plate 50 has an upright extension 53 disposed in spacedrelation to the rearward wall of the tank 30, forming therewith anoveriiow passage 54 for the return of the water to the heating apparatusthrough an opening 55 Y in the bottom of th 'tank' 30. The uprightportion 53 of the plate 0 may be secured to the sides of the tank 30 bymeansof bolts 55.

The section of the tank 38 located above the plate 50 is divided intotwo compartments by a gate 51 slidable in guideways 58 formed in strips59 riveted to the sides of the tank 30. The forward compartment 45 ofthe tank 30 constitutes the reeling basin, so-called because the lamentsare drawn off from the cocoons oating therein,

while at the rearward side of the gate 51 is a flushing chamber 68. Theopening 52 in the bottom of the iiushing chamber 60 is normally closedby a trap-door 62 which'is operated by camactuated means, to be laterdescribed, to cause it to be periodicaly opened to discharge the waterfrom the chamber 60'. Beneath the opening 52 is a funnel-shapeddischarge duct 83 fastened to the bottom of the tank 30 and connected bya suitable pipe to the tank inv which the water is heated.V The meansfor feeding fresh cocoons into the reeling basin 45 is constructed andarranged as next described.

Referring particularly to Figs. 3 and 4, a pair of hinge-blocks 65fastened to the forward wall of the tank 30 carry hinge-pins 6B uponwhich is pivotally mounted a rockable raceway member 10. The member isofchannel or trough shape comprising a flat bottom 68 and upstandingsides 69. At the forward end of the member 10 are guide-members 1Ihaving vertical 'walls ywhich converge rearwardly in alinement with theangular walls of the members in the basin I0, thereby providing areentrant opening' or mouth for receiving the cocoons as they arefloated through the opening 26 andv into the basin 35. Fastened to thebottom and sides of the member 10` are angle-shaped members 12 whichform a restricted passage or raceway 13 extending lonlare a pair ofspaced bearing lugs 14 between which is journaled a roller 15. Theroller 15 is engaged with the periphery of a lenticularlyshaped cam16fast on a shaft ,11 extending transversely of the interior of the tank30. The cam 16 is connected to be rotated, by means as later described,to alternately raise and lower the raceway member 10 on its pivottoasslst in feeding the cocoons to the reeling basin 45. vThe bottomwall of the member 10 is slotted to ,receive a feeding or transferringelement 00 which is slidably mounted on a transverse pin 3i extendingbetween lugs 82 at the rear of the-member.`

The feeding element 80 is of bucket-like construction having a bottomand inclined side walls. On the bottom of thev element sii' are spacedflanges 83 formed with elongated slots` 84 for re ceiving the hinge-pin8I A pivot-pin 05 extending between spaced ears on a plate 06 fastenedto the partition wall 33'also passes through -the slots 8d in oppositerelation to the pin 8i.

The bucket lill` is thus held suspended while permitting it to pivot andslide within limits as determined by the ends of the slots 86. 'I'hebucket 80 is'normally maintained in inclined position facing towardvtheraceway -13 in the member 10 'cocoon c passing through as shown in Figs.2 and 3 to adapt the foremost into its cavity.

When afresh cocoon is to be fedinto the reeling basin 45, the cam 16 isrotated to rock the reeling basin 45 where its filament is joined to theother laments being twisted into the thread by the operation ofinstrumentalities to be later described. As a means for preventing thenext Icocoon in the series from passing into the end of the raceway 13during the transferring operation a flap-like guard or gate 81 isprovided on the bucket 30. The gate 31 is suspended 'on a pin 89extending? transversely of the feeding bucket 80 with its lower curvedend adapted to ride on the arcuately-shaped, side of a. standard i 89rising from the floor of the tank 30.

AIn addition to actuating the feeding bucket 80 the member 10 alsofunctions-during its oscillatig movement to cause the cocoons to advancetoward its delivering end. Pivoted to the the runway to. enter.

upper forked end of a bracket 90 fastened to the bottom of the tank is aweighted lever 92 constituted as an agitator for the cocoons. Thebracket 90 projects upwardly through a relatively wide rectangularaperture in the bottom of the member 10 and the weighted end of theagitator lever 92 projects downwardly through a narrower aperture. Themid-portion of the lever 92 With the member `10\ at restin horizontalposition as shown in Fig.'2.`

the lever 92 is positioned below the cocoons c floating in the raceway.When the member 10 is raised, however, the cross-strip 93 engages withthe underside of the lever 92 and causes it to pivot upwardly as4illustrated in Fig. 4. The end of the lever 92 will thus act to liftthe cocoons gathered in the mouth of the raceway 13 to cause them to beagitated, whereby to prevent themy from clinging and bunching togetherto clog the entrance. A l1 Rising from the iloor of the tank 30 withinthe basin is an overflow-tube 93 for maintaining a constant level in thebasin. 'I'he water passes downwardly through the tube 9d and into thetank 2, from which it exhausts through a returnpipe 95 leading to theheating apparatus. As a means for regulating the return ow of water avalve may be provided in the upper end of the tube 913. A plug 96screwed into the end of the tube 99 is provided with a hole in its sideadapted to register with a similar hole in the side of the tube. Byturning the plug thesize ofthe valve lopening may be varied to changethe rate of fiow to maintain the proper levell of the water in thesupply and runway basins i0 and 35. In the bottom of the basin 35 is asmall hole 9i, see Fig. 4, which permits the water to drain therefromwhen the reeling unit remains idle for any considerabie period.

Attached to the frame 5 above the basin 35 is a bracket 99, in which isjournaled two shafts Illand lili, see Figs.. 2 and 4. The lower shaftE00 has flxedly secured thereto a spur-gear B02 which meshes with asimilar gear 03 on the` shaft lill. The shaft I00 also carries asprocket Iild which is driven by a chain connected to a sprocket 005 onthe cam-shaft 11, previously mentioned. The upper shaft mi carries atakeup element 06 comprising a hub with a pair of arms 01 radiatingtherefrom. At the ends of the arms 01 are fingers 408 to which theindividual silk filaments from the reserve cocoons in the supply basinI0 and raceway 13 may be manually attachedf During the feeding ortransferring. operation the take-up element E06 is rotated to wind upthe several filaments attached theretojo take up any vslack therein.Projecting from the side of the bracket 99 is an arm |09, to the end ofwhich is fastened a baille or guardplate IIO for preventing the looseend of a iliament attached to the take-up element 106 from catching onand becoming entangled with the multiple strands passing upwardly to thereeling mechanism. A

The drive for the several operating mechanisms of the different units ofthe apparatus is 'arranged as next described.' Referring particularly toFigs. 1 and 3, a main drive-shaft I I2 is .journaled in a bearing lI I3at the end of the tank 2 and in an outboard bearing H9 formed at the endof a bracket H5 bolted to the side of the .tank. At the outer end of theshaft U2 is a pulley I I6 which may be connected by a belt to an 75electric motor or any other suitable source of power. Keyed to the shaft||2 is a second pulley 1 which drives the reeling mechanism, to be laterdescribed, by means of a belt I |8. Fixedly secured to the shaft ||2 isa worm ||9 which meshes with a worm-wheel |20 fast on a shaft A |2|extending beneath the shaft ||2 at rightangles thereto. The shaft |2| isjournaled in a bearing |22 forming part of the bracket ||5 and inanother bracket |23 on the -sde of the tank 2. The shaft |2| projectsbeyond the end of the bearing |23 and carries a spiral gear |26 whichmeshes with a larger spiral gear |21 fast on the end of a cam-shaft |28.The cam-shaft |28 Mextends horizontally within the tank 2, beingjournaled in bearing bosses at the ends thereof. The cam-shaft |28,which is driven at a relatively slovir rate of speed, constitutes themeans for operating the sluice-gate 51 and ushing door 62 as will bepresently explained. The driveshaft i |2 has keyed thereto a sprocket|30 which is connected by a chain |3| to drive a larger' sprocket |32fast on the end vof a shaft |33 arranged above the cam-shaft |28 inparallel relation thereto and constituting the driving means for thecocoon feeding mechanism. The two shafts |28 and E33 may valso bejournaled in other bearings supported by brackets |34 arranged in spacedrelation within the tank 2.1

The sluice-gate 51, previously mentioned, consists in a rectangularplate having its upper edge slotted to provide openings through whichthe water normally flows from the reeling compartment 45 into theflushing chamber 60, see Figs.

3'5 3 and 4. A series of small holes |135 are provided near the bottomof the gate 51 to adapt the water to continuously circulate therethroughto exert,

a slight pull or drag on the cocoons in resistance to the draft on. thefilaments delivering therefrom. 'Ihe gate 5-1 is provided with arectangular slot |36 which is engaged by the forward end of a lever |31.The lever |31 is fast upon a shaft |38 extending along the rearward wallof the tank 30 and journaled in bearing blocks |39 screwed thereto. Thelever |31 is ,formed with a depending toe |40 adapted' to strike againstone of the bearing `blocks |39 to limit the upward swinging movement ofthe lever. Fast on the shaft |38 is a lever |4|' having arearwardlydirected curved arm |42 and an upwardly extending arm |43. Theend of the curved arm |42 is maintained'in engagement with the peripheryof acam |44, fast on the cam-shaft |28,

by means of a spring |45. One end of the spring 55 |45 is anchored toone of the studs 5,6, previously referred tol while its Lopposite `endis hooked around a pin driven into the side f the arm 42.

The cam |44 has a peripheral contour of substantially segmental shape.VWith the segmental w portion of the cam |44 in the position shown inFig. 4 the arm |42 of the lever |4| is held raised to maintain the lever|31 depressed with the gate 51 closed down against the bottom of thereeling basin. When the cam |44 is rotated in o5 clockwise direction, asviewed in'Fig. 5, its segmental portion rides out from under the curvedarm |42 of the lever |4| and the rod |38 will be rotated' under theaction of the spring |45 to cause the lever 31 and gate 51 to be raisedto 70 the position shown in Fig. 5; the toe '|40 on the lever |31bringing up against the end of the tank or basin 30 to limit themovement of the-lever V|31. The water then flows rapidly from thereeling basin 45 to discharge the spent cocoons Tl into the flushingchamber 60 whence they are subsequently ejected by the means previouslydescribed.

Journaled in bearings on the sides of the tank 30 is a shaft 46 Auponone end of which a. handlever |41 is rotatably mounted. Hooked aroundthe lever |41 and resting on a pin |48 projecting froml its sides is awire link |43, the opposite end of which is hooked through a hole in theupper arm |43 of the lever |4|, see Figs. 3 and 4. Fastened to the sideof the lever |41 is a springfinger or latch which is adapted to snapinto one or the other of two slots |5| and |52v in'the overhanging rimof the tank 30, see Fig. 3. Dux'- ing the normal operation of thereelingunit the lever |41 is tilted to the right as viewed in Figs. 2

and 3 with its spring-finger |50 held in the slot |52. As the lever |4|is rockedfrom the cam |44 in the manner as before explained the link |43slides back and. forth upon the pin |48 in the lever |41. On the otherhand, the lever |41 may be manually rocked toward the front of themachine to draw the link |49 forwardly to elevate the curved arm |42 ofthe lever |4| to the position indicated by the dash'lines in Fig. 5. Thepurposev of this arrangement is to render the gate-operating mechanisminoperative whereby to maintain the gate 51 closed against the bottom'ofthe basin. The lever |41 is held in its forward position by theengagement of its latch |50 with the slot |5|. The object of holding thegate'51 closed is to aid the operator in starting the reeling unit, forif the gate 51 were permitted to open during the threading up of thefilaments the rapid circulation of the water through the reeling basinwould float the cocoons into the flushing 4chamber 60. After the lamentshave been connected to the reeling mechanism and the latter started tooperate to take up the thread the draft on the strands holds the cocoonsin the reeling basin 45 and the lever |41 may be returned to rst-position as shown in Figs. 2 and 4 to release the lever |4| forengagement by the cam |44 to intermittently operate the gate 51.

VvThe cam-shaft |23 carries fast thereon a cam |54, see Fig. 2, foroperating the flushing door 62. The cam |54 is constructed in the formof a circular disk having a substantially V-shaped notch |55 in itsperiphery. A lever |56 having a slotted end |51 engaging around thecam-shaft'i!! carries a roller adapted to ride on the periphery of thecam |54 'and to enter its notch |55. '-I'he forward end' of' the lever|56 is pivotally connected to the upper end of a crank-arm |6| fast onthe end of a rod |62 journaled in bearings on the sides of the tank 30and constituting the direction, as viewed in Fig. 2, the lifter member|64 acts through its spring |65. to resiliently 62 may carry a. suitablegasket cemented thereto.

When thecam |54 is turned to the position indicated by the dash lines inFig. 5 the lever i56'is moved forwardly to cause the lifter member |64to hold the door closed against the bottom of the iiushing chamber 60.On the other hand, when the cam |54 is turned to the positionillustrated in Fig. 2 with its notch |55 opposite the roll 60 the lever|56 will be free to slide to the right to permit the lifter` |64 to belowered by the weight of the door 62 and the pressure of the waterthereagainst. In other words, the turning of thel cam releases thelever' |56 so that the crank-arm |6| may rotate to the right as viewedin Fig. 2 under the pressure of the door 62 against the lifter |64. Therelease of the door 62 results in rapid exhaust of the waterfrom thebasin to carry the spent cocoons down into the waste pipe 63. f

A,s previously noted, the Icocoon feeding and filament take-up means forthe reeling unit yare operated from the shaft 1.1 extending transverselyof the tank 30. At one end of the shaft 11 y is a clutch-device,indicated generally in Fig. 3 by the reference character |68, comprisinga disk |69 fast with the shaft 11 and a. cup member |10 rotatablethereon. The two clutch members |69 and |10 are frictionally engaged toadapt them most clearly in Fig. 2. The member |10 which is free on theshaft 11 carries a sprocket |12 driven by a chain |14 connecting it to asprocket |13 on the shaft |33.

The detent-lever |1| is fast on the shaft |46, being formed at one sidewith a detent-lug |16 which engages a projection |11 on the periphery ofthe clutch member |69 to withhold the latter from rotation. The lever|1| is normally held in upright position with its lug |16 engaged withthe projection |11 by means of a weighted arm |18 fastened to the rod|46 and tending to rotate the latter in clockwise direction as viewed inFig. 2. A knock-oir lever formed .with a doublesided end is pivotallyconnected to the lever- |1| by means of a pin |19, see Figs. 2 and 3.Fastened tothe shorter end of the lever |80 is a counterweight |8|. Thecounterweight 8| maintains the lever |80 in substantially horizontalposition as illustrated in Fig. 2 with its longer arm extending to theright to locate its extremity inv advance of and below the axis of atoothed wheel |82 carried on and continuously rotated by the shaft |33.J The longer or righthand end of the lever |80 is guided ina verticalslot formed in a bracket |83 riveted to the side of the tank 30.

Mounted on an angular bracket |84 ,fastened to the'side of the tank 30and suitably insulated therefrom are two electromagnets |85 which areconnected by a conductor |86 to the automatic detector or sizing deviceto be later described.

The detector device is designed tov operate on the .to the left, asviewed in Fig. 2, Vto rock the detentlever |1| whereby to free itsdetent-lug |16 from the projection |11 on the clutch member |69. As thcclutch member |69 is released its companion member |10' causes it to berotated to turn the shaft 11. The rmt-10b of the shaft 11 inmates theoperation of the cocoon feeding and lament take-up devices in the mannerand for the purposes as later more fully explained.'

Means areprovided for joining the filament from a newly supplied cocoonto the multiple filaments being reeled as each fresh cocoon is fed intothe reeling basin. Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 4, thefilament-connecting means or gatherer is carried on a bracket |81 boltedto the top of one of the cross-struts 5 overlying the tank 2 and also toone of the upright frames 6. Journaled in a bearing |88 at the forwardend ofl the bracket |81 is a hollow or tubular spindle |88 carrying agrooved pulley at its lower end. A nut |9| screwed against a shoulder onthe spindle |89 cooperates with the pulley |80 abutting the lower end ofthe bearing |88 to retain the spindle in place. Secured to the underside of the pulley |90 is a rotary gatherer |92 con stituted by a pairof opposite arms |93'radiating from a centrall hub. Secured within theends of the hollow spindle |89 are porcelain guide-eyes |94 throughwhichthe filaments draw as they lead upwardly to the reeling mechanism.The gatherer i 92 is continuously rotated at a rela' tively high rate ofspeed by means of a belt |91 passing around the pulley |90 and connectedto a larger pulley |96. The pulley |96 is mounted on the upper end of averticaly shaft |98 journaled in a bearing in a bracket' |99 rising fromthe bottom of the tank 2. Secured fast on the shaft |98 is a spiral gear200 which meshes with4 a larger spiral gear 202 fast on the shaft |33.

Through the connections last described the gatherer |92 is rotated tocause one or the other of its arms. to engage the filament from thecocoon being fed to the reeling basin 45 in the manner as illustrated inFig. 4 and to twist the strand around the other filaments drawing.upwardly through the shaft |89.

A scraper 205 is provided for removing the water and any foreign matteradhering to the filaments as they are drawn upwardly from the reelingbasin 45. Asshown in Figs. 2 and 4 the .scraper 205 is carried at theend of a vswinging' arm 206 pivoted between the sides of a U-vshapedbracket 201 secured to the bracket |81. As

vshown in Fig. 3 the scraper 205 consists of a throat for guiding thefilaments into the"`scraper opening'between the legs. The scraper 205 isarranged to swing out of the way as each fresh cocoon is fed into thereeling basin 45 to prevent it from interfering with the transferringoperation. For this purpose the arm 206 is connected by a wire link 209to an upwardly projecting ear 2|0 on the cocoon-feeding bucket 80. Asthe bucket 80 is oscillated during the feeding -operation the link 209moves the scraper 205 back to the position illustrated in Fig. 4 so thatthe cocoon being transferred may enter the basin 45 withoutinterference. As the feeding element 80 returns to first position itdraws the scraper 205 forwardly into the position shown in Fig. 2,whereby the filaments being drawn from the cocoons are automaticallygathered into its restricted opening.

From the guide-eye |94 of the gatherer spindle |89 the multiple strandsdraw upwardly over a pulley 2|2, see Fig. 1, which is carried at the endof an arm 2|3 pivoted on a pin 2M projecting from a bracket 2&5 securedto the front .of the upright frame 6. From the pulley 2 l2 the strandslead downwardly around a pulley 2li journaled on .the frame 6 and thenceupwardly, being twisted numerous times around the strands drawingupwardly from the gatherer to the pulley 2 l2. The twisting of thestrands in this manner causes them to be spun into'a thread t which isled over a roller 2 l see Figs. 'l and 8. The roller 2|!! is fast on ashaft 22@ iournaled in the bracket 285 and carries a pulley or sprocketwheel 22| which is connected by' a chain 22d to a sprocket 222 on thedrum-shaft 212 of the reeling mechanism. The outer end of the shaft 220is journaled in an outboard bearing 225 secured to the side of thebracket M5, seefFlg. 6.

Slidably mounted in a bearing 226 located beneath the roller` 2 I! 9 isa scraper-blade 221 having a beveled upper edge. The blade 221 isnormally urged upwardlyfto maintain its beveled edge in engagement withthe bottom of the roller 219 by means .of a coil spring 22d anchored toa pin driven into the side of the bearing 225. The blade 221 serves as'a means for removing water and scraping foreign matter from the roller2i@ to maintain the latter clean.

Pivotally mounted upon a pin. 229 located above the roller 2|@ is adetector element 230. The pivot-pin 229 is held between the'sides of abifurcated member 23H adjustably mounted upon'a bracket 232 screwed tothe side of the bracket 1 2l5. The detector 23@ consists in an arm V223pivoted on the pin 225 and inclined downwardly toward the roller 212.The lower portion of the arm 223 is bent upwardly at right-angles, thusforming a ridge or shoulder 236 which rests upon the top of the roller2id, and then continued inl a horizontal arm 235. The member 236 may beheld raised on its pivot by means of a detentlever 231 whereby to renderthe detector device and cocoon-feeding mechanism inactive when it isdesired to operate the machine while manually feeding cocoons tothe'reeling basin. The detentlever 231 is pivoted on the bracket 23| andprovided with an arm 23S adapted to be rocked downwardly to engage theupper end 'of the arm 223 of the detector 23) to maintain its horizontalarm 235 raised.

At the forward extremity of the horizontal arm 235 of the detector 23@is a contact-point 23e adapted to close against a similar contactpoint24B on a stationary blade 24|. The blade 24S is held in the slotted endof a pin 242 driven into the side of the bracket 2|5 and extendslaterally therefrom beneath the arm 235 of the detector 236. Engagingunder the end of the blade 24| is an adjusting screw 243 threadedthrough a split bearing 22d on the bracket 2|5. A binderscrew2t5 in thesplit bearing 24d may be Atightened to clamp the screw 243 in adjustedposition with the contact-point 246 spaced at the proper distance fromthe point 239. The space between the contact-points 239 and-.246 isadjusted to equal substantially the thickness of one of the individualfilaments of the thread t being reeled so that should a filament breakor become exhausted the resultant reduction in the size of the vthreadwill cause the. detector element 23|! to be lowered to bring itscontact-point 239 into engagement with the point 246. f

Referring now to the electrical diagram in Fig. 9, the contact-point 239is connected by the wire |86.to the magnets |85, previously described,

and the stationary contact-point 240 is connected to a wire 248 incircuit with the source of electrical current. When the circuit isclosed at the contact-points 239 and 240 the current flows. to themagnets |85 to energize the latter and operate the mechanism which feedsa fresh cocoon into thereeling basin to replace a spent one. As thefilament from the fresh cocoon is incorporated into the thread 'beingreeled it eventually increases the size of the thread at theroller 2teand the detector element 230 is raised to open the circuit.

`From the roller 2tlg the thread t draws around a grooved pulley25il.rotatably mounted at the forward end of a wire arm 25|, see Fig. 7.The rearward end of the arm 25| is doubled around to straddle thereduced end of a shaft 252, to which it is adjustably secured by a nut253. The shaft 252 is journaled in a bearing in the bracket 2|5.Thepivotal movement of the arm 25| and shaft252 is limited by a stop-pin25d driven into the side of the bracket 255 and engageable with thesides of the double end of the arm.

At the opposite side yof the bracket 2|5 the shaft 252 carries a collar255 having a pin 256 projecting radially from its periphery. Mounted ona shelf-like bracket 251 attached to the bracket 2|5 are twocontact-blades 25S and 259 constructed of,A spring metal and suitablyinsulated from each other. The blades 258 and 259 are provided withcontact-points for closing another circuit which controls the stoppingmechanism for the machine in the manner as later explained. Breaking ofthe thread t between the roller 2|9 and the reeling mechanism causes thepulley 250 to drop to turn the shaft 252 and through the pin 256 thecontact-blade 258 is carried against the blade 252 to close the circuit.p

The arm 2|3, previously described as carrying the pulley 2|2, is formed-with'a rearward exv tension 260 which is bent upwardly and providedwith a rounded end 26| arranged to overlie the upper contact-blade 258.The extension 266 carries a weight 262, see Fig. 8, which tends todepress its rounded end 26| when the strands break at a point betweenthe reeling basin and the detector whereby to move the contact-blade 25Eagainst the blade 259'.

The winding or reeling mechanism for taking up the twisted thread may beof any suitablel type and isU therefore described only briefly herein inits relation to the operation of the complete machine. Referringparticularly to Figs. 6, 7 and 8 a pair of spaced arms 265 are pivotallysupported upon a rod 266 extending through suitable bearings at theupper ends of .the frame-members 6. At their forward ends the arms 265carry -a spindle 261 upon which may be mounted a reel 268 for lreceivingthe thread, or in other cases a -spool or the like. The reel 268 hereinillustrated y'is secured to the spindle 261 by suitable means such as athumb-screw 269 in its hub engaging a squared portion of the spindle.Adjacent one of the arms 265 the spindle 261 carries a traction wheel orroller 21|) adapted to rest upon the periphery of a driving drum 21| tobe frictionally driven thereby during the reeling operation and removedtherefrom to arrest the winding. The drum 21| is fast upon a shaft 212extending horizontally through bearings inthe frames 6. The shaft 212 isextended at one end of the machine to receive a pulley 213, see Figs. y1and 6, which is continuously rotated from the drive-pulley ||1 by meansof the belt I8, previously referred to.

Supported from the end frame 6 of the series is a stud-shaft 214, seeFig. 6, upon which is rotatably mounted a traverse-cam 215. A spur-gear216 on the hub'of the cam 215 meshes with a similar gear '211 fast onthe drum-shaft 212 whereby the cam is drivenlcontinuously therefrom.Extending longitudinally of the whole series of units of the machine isa reciprocable traverse-rod 218 which carries a plurality o1thread-guides 219, one for each reeling unit. The

traverse-rod 218 is slidably supported between pairs of` rollers 280journaled on brackets 28| projecting forwardly from the frames 6. At oneend of the traverse-rod 218 is a roll or bowl 282 engaging in thegroove'283 of the cam 215. The thread t leads upwardly from the pulley250 through a groove in its appropriate thread-guide- 219 and thence tothe reel 260. As the traverserod 210 is reciprocated from the cam 215the thread-guide `219 traverses the thread back and forth to deposit iton the reel in coils which form the skein indicatedat S.

rI'he stopping mechanism for arresting the reeling operation when thethread breaks is arranged as next described. Rockably mounted in lugs284 on one of the arms 265 is a lifter rod 285 shaped with its forwardend extending downwardly in a The latch 288 has a forwardly extendingarm or,

handle 29|, the weight of which tends tohold the latch 288 against thedetent-plate 290. When the arm 265 is raised `the latch 288 ridesupwardly and engages over the edge of the plate 290 to hold the arm inelevated position. When it is desiredto start the 'winding the handle29| o n the latch 288' is raised to permit the arm 265 to descend tocarry the roll 210 into peripheral contact with.-

the driving drum 21|.

'I'he rearward end of the arm 265 is formed with a lateral curvedprojection 293, to`which is fastened a sheet-metal holder 294 forsupporting a pair of electro-magnets 295, see Figs. 6, 7 and 8.

Referring to the diagram in Fig. 9, the poles of the magnets 295 areconnected to the contactl 286 free from engagement with the eccentricdisk 281 as indicated in the showing of the right-hand reeling unit ofthis view. Energization of the magnets -295 will lift the finger 296 torock the rod I285 to swing its leg 286 into position to be engaged bythe periphery of the eccentric 281 in the manner as illustrated in theshowing of the lleft-hand reeling unit in Fig. 6; The downward movementof,the finger 296 is limited by the curved end of an arm 306 fastened atits upper end to the curved projection 293 on ,the arm 265.

Pivoted on a pin 298 projecting from the framemember 6 is a holder 299carrying a. mercury switch 300. The switch 300 is of usual formcomprising a. hermetically sealed glasstube 30| enclosing two spacedcontact-members 302 and 303. The contact-members 302 and 303 areconnected being used for this purpose'.

to wires 304 and 305 in circuit, respectively, with the source ofelectrical current and leading to the contact-blade 259, see Fig. 9. Theholder299 has an upstanding finger 3|0 at its pivoted end adapted toengage with the bottom edge of one of the reel-supporting Varms 265.During the reeling operation thearm 2.65 is engaged'with the finger 3|0on the holder 299 to maintain the switch 300 in the position indicatedin Figs. 7 and 9 with the mercury in the tube 30| closing the gapbetween the'contacts 302 and 303. When the thread being reeled breaksthe blade 258 is lowered `against theblade 259 to cause the current toflow to the magnets 295 to energize the latter and effect stopping ofthe winding operation in themanner as before indicated. As before noted,the larm 2651s raised to arrest the winding opera-` tion and as it isswung upwardly the switch 300 kis permitted to swing downwardly to theposition shown in Fig. 8. The tilting of the switch 300 causes themercury to flow to the lower end of the tube 30| to open the gap betweenthe contacts 302 and 303 whereby to interrupt the main circuit toprevent continuous feeding ofA fresh cocoonsto the reeling basin underthe action of the detector device.

Referring to Fig. 9, the current line comprises two conductors 301 andl308 which maybe en'- closed in a conduit-pipe 309 extending the length-'o f the machine and held in bosses on the framemembers 6. The variousmechanisms of the machine having now been described in detail theirmethod of operation will next be explained.

The individual reeling units are prepared for operation by first.opening the valves 9 and 49 to supply the basins l0 and 45 with warmemulsified fluid, the flow of which is regulated by the properadjustment of the valves. A reserve supply of silkcocoons c, previouslyprepared by boiling and brushing, are placed in the supply basin |0 andtheir filaments drawn upwardly to the take-up device |06 and fastened`to the fingers |08. The required number of cocoons are placed in thereeling basin with the ends of their laments gathered together andthreaded upwardly through the tubular spindle |89 of the gatherer |92, asuitable threading needle or like implement During the threading-up ofthe filaments the lever |41 is rocked to move the link |49 to close thegatev 51, wherebyto prevent the cocoons from being floated out of thereeling'basin 45 into the flushing chamber 60. As the lever |41 isshifted for this, purpose its spring-finger or latch |50 snaps into thenotch |5| to lock it in position.

The number of cocoons in the reeling basin 45 is determinate upon thenumber of strands required for a given size of thread, five filamentsbein'g herein shown delivering to the reeling mechanism as an example.After passing through the gatherer spindle |0,9 the multiple strands aredrawn upwardly over the pulley 2|2, thence downwardly around the pulley2 1 and led upwardly again and coiled or twisted about the first lengthdrawing upwardly to the pulley 2l2. The strands are then led over theroller 2|9, under the pulley 250 and thence drawn upwardly through thegroove in the thread-guide 219 with the ends joined to the reel 268 byWinding them several times therearound. The reeling unit is then readyfor operation.

To start the reeling operation the lever 29| is lifted to disengage itslatch 288 from the detent-plate 290 whereby to permit the arms 265 toswing downwardly to engage thedrive^wheel Bit 2li@ on the reel-spindle25i with kthe rotating driving drum 2H, see Figs. 7 and 8. Immediatelythe roll 216 contacts with the drum 2li it is driven therefrom to turnthe reel 268 to wind on the thread t. concurrently therewith thetraversebar 2l@ is reciprocated from the cam 215 to impart atreverse tothe thread as it feeds through the guide 2id. y As the reel-carryingarms 255 are lowered the switch is caused to be'tllted to the positionindicated in Figs. 7 and 9 to connect the detector device in circuitwith the source of current.

As soon as the winding or reeling operation is started the operatorshifts the lever ifi? to release the gate-lever Mii, see Fig. 5, forengagement of its arm 622 with the cam iili. As the cam idd iscontinuously rotated it acts to periodically raise 'and lower the gate5l to cause the water in the reeling basin t5 to flow into the flushingchamber 6d. After each closing movement of the gate 5l the cam itt comesinto position to permit the roll iii@ on the lever tt, see Fig. 2, toenter its notch 655 whereby the ushing door 52 is swung open to releasethe water in the chamber et. The water is thus permitted to return tothe supply-tank to be reheated and again circulated through the basinsd5 and 59. During the period in which the gate 5l is opened the waterrises rst in the compartment it and then in compartment #t5 until itnally overflows into the opening 5d as indicated by the broken lines inFig. 5. During the operation of the water-now controlling means thefilanientsv continue to be drawn off from the floating cocoons in thebasin i5 regardless of the depth of the water therein.

The reeling operation continues in the manner explained until a fault orbreakage occurs in the thread t being reeled. When one of the individualfilaments breaks or its supply from the cocoon is exhausted thethickness of the thread isre- .duced so that the detector 226, -see Fig.7, is lowered slightly to cause its contact-point 223e to make contactwith the `xed contact-point 2&2. The electrical circuit to thefeed-magnets M is then closed and the magnets energized to exert adownward pull on the weighted end lili of the knock-off lever |80. seeFigs. 2 and 9. The rearward end.v of the lever it is thus raised toengage it with one of the teeth of the knock-oi wheel |82 which acts toslide the lever to the left as viewed in Fig. 2. The sliding movement ofthe lever i8@ rocks the clutch-lever ill to the left, as viewed in Fig.2, to free its lug il@ from the projection il? on the clutch-member M58,thereby releasing the latter for rotation byfrictional contact with itsconstantly rotating companion member illu. As before noted, theclutch-member its is keyed to the cam-shaft lil to impart rotation tothe latter. The rotation of the camshaft li turns the cam l5 to cause itto act through the roller it to tilt the raceway-member lil upwardly tothe position illustrated in Fig. 4. This rocking motion of theracew'ay-,member Iii iscommunicated to the cocoon-feeding bucket @t totilt the latter on its pivot 85 in the manner as before indicated toproject a fresh cocoon into the reeling basin `At the same time theagitator-lever 92' is caused to jump upwardly to dislodge any of thecocoons which may have clung together to clog the mouth of the raceway13.

During the transfer of the freshA cocoon into the reeling basin l5 thetake-up device ill is operated fromV the shaft 'il to wind up theiliament to maintain it taut. Concurrently with 'this operation thetake-up it@ winds up the aisance other lan'ients attached thereto todraw the cccoons along the raceway E3 to advance the leading one intoposition against the stop member or gatel, see Fig. 4. Now, as themember 'i5 is rocked downwardly the bucket 80 is returned to iirstposition and the member 81 lowered so that the leading cocoon will oatinto place above the bucket as shown in Fig. 2.

As each fresh cocoon is fed into the reeling basin d5 the scraper 205 isautomatically withdrawn to avoid the chance of the lament being caughtand broken. During the return of the cocoon-transferring bucket 80 torst position the scraper 225 is moved forwardly to receive the lamentsdrawing upwardly to the reeling mechanism whereby it acts to wipe orscrape the water and foreign matter therefrom. The revolving arms it ofthe gatherer i92 act to engage and break the filament from the newcocoon c as it is fed into place and to twist it about the several otherlaments leading upwardly through the spindle idg. After the new filamentis joined to the others in this manner it feeds upwardly therewithto thereeling mechanism.

The addition of a new filament to the thread t increases its thicknessto the required size so that as it draws over the roller 2i@ it liftsthe detector 23@ to separate its contact-point' 229;.

from the iixed contact-point 288 whereby to open the circuit to themagnets E85. As the magnets itii are deenergized they release thearmature 86 to allow the member itt to return to rst position.

It will be understood that when a larnent breaks or isexhausted thecocoon from which it is supplied, or `the larva residue therefromdropsto the bottom of the basin as indicated in Fig.

4 so that as the gate 5l is opened the circulation pf the water causesthe spent cocoon c2 to be washed into the ushing chamber in the mannerindicated in Fig. 5. Shouldthe spent cocoon stili iioat in the basin d5the current vwill discharge it therefrom in the same manner as the levelof the water is lowered. When the gate 5l is again closed the flushingdoor 62 is opened to permit the water inthe chamber 68 toV debouchthrough the opening 52 to carry the waste cocoon cs into the return pipe53 in the manner as illustrated in Fig. 2. As the water ilows to thesource of supply it passes through a suitable screen, lnot herein shown,which acts to remove the waste cocoons. i Should the thread t break fromany cause the stopping mechanism will be actuated to arrest the reelingoperation in the manner as "next explained'. If the thread breaksbetween the reeling basin S5 and the pulley 2I2 the tension on thelatter is relieved to cause the arm 2 I 3 to be raised under the actionof its weight 262, see Fig. 8. This has the eiect to impinge the roundedend 25E of the arm 250 against the contact-blade 258 to depress thelatter whereby to close its contact-point against the xed contact-pointon the blade 259. The electrical circuit is thus closed to energize themagnets 295 to cause them to attract the armature 295 whereby to rockthe rod 285.v The downwardly extending leg 286 of the rod 225 is thusbrought into position above the eccentric disk 281 and engaged therebywhereby to lift the reel-carrying arms 285 as shown in Fig. 8 to freethe drive-wheel 210 from the driving drum 2li. In this manner therotation of the reel 2GB is arrested and the winding operation stopped.As -the arms 265 are swung upwardly the latching member 288 engages withthe upper edge of the detent-plate 290 to prevent the return of the armsuntil it is desired to restart the.wind ing operation; The upwardmovement of the arms 265 permits the electrical switch 3N) to rock tothe position indicated in Fig. 8 wherebyto open the main circuit 365which supplies current to the contact-blades of the detector device 230.As a result the iiow of the current is interrupted so that the detectordevice will not act to feed any cocoons into the reeling basin 45' whilethe reeling means is inoperative.

It will be observed from the foregoing that the present inventionprovides a highly eiiicientmachine for reeling silk directly fromcocoons. The reeling units may be compactly arranged in gang form alonga common support requiring a minimum of floor space and operated from acommon source'of power.V v

The machine is entirely automatic in operation, requiring practically noattention on the part of the operator except tol occasionally replenishthe supply of reserve cocoons. Thus the operator is able to tend agreater number o f units and the cost of reeling is reduced to aminimum.

The machine operates with great precision in maintaining a uniformthickness in the thread being .reeled and consequentlythe .quality of thproduct is greatly improved.

While I have herein illustrated and described a preferred form ofconstruction of the machine, it is to be understood that various changesmay be made in the structure and arrangement of its Aparts withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, withoutlimiting myself in this respect, I claim:

l. In a silk-reeling machine, the combination of a basin for liquid,means for reeling a thread of predetermined size from filamentsdelivering from cocoons floating in the basin, means contacting withopposite sides of the thread to detect a reduction in the thicknessthereof, means actuated therefrom upon indication of such reduction inthickness of the lthread below the predetermined size to feed a freshcocoon into the reeling basin, and means for attaching the filament fromthe fresh cocoon to the other filaments feeding to the thread.

2. In a silk-reeling machine, the combination of a basin for liquid,means for reeling a thread of predetermined size from filaments drawingoff from a plurality of cocoons oating in the basin, a detectorcontacting with opposite sides of the thread being reeled to indicatevariations in the size thereof, means for feeding fresh cocoons into thebasin, and means actuated by the detector upon indication of a reductionin thickness of the thread below the predetermined size to operate thecocoon-feeding means.

3. In a silk-reeling machine, the combination of a basin for liquid,means for reeling a thread of predetermined size from laments unwindingfrom a plurality of cocoons iioating in the basin, a detector contactingwith opposite sides of the thread for measuring the thickness of thethread,

means for feeding fresh cocoons into the basin, electrically-controlledmeans for operating the 'feeding means, an electrical circuit therefor,and

means actuated by the detector upon indication of a reduction inthickness of the thread below the predetermined-size to close thecircuitto ener-4 for feeding fresh cocoons into the basin, a detectorinV contact with opposite sides of the thread being reeled and actuatedwhen the diameter of the thread is reduced 'below the predeterminedsize, and means actuated by the detector upon indication of a reductionin the diameter of the thread below the predetermined size to energizethe cocoon-feeding means. i

5. In a silk-reeling machine, the combination of a basin for liquid,means for reeling a thread of predetermined size from filamentsdelivering from a plurality of cocoons floating in the basin, means forfeeding fresh cocoons into the basin, electrically energized means foroperating the cocoonffeedingmeans, an electrical circuit therefor, adetector in contact with opposite sides of the thread being reeled andactuated upon indication of a reduction in thickness of the thread belowthe predetermined size, and means actuated by said detector to close theelectrical circuit to energize the cocoon-feeding means.

6. In a silk-reeling machine, the combination of a basin for liquid,means for reeling a thread of predetermined size from lamentsdeliveringfrom a plurality of cocoons in the basin, means for feedingfresh'cocoons into the basin, poweroperated means for actuating thefeeding means, detent-means for normallyv maintaining the power-operatedlmeans inactive, and means contacting with opposite sides of the threadbeing reeled and actuated when the thickness of the thread is reducedbelow the predetermined size to release the detenta-means to causeactuation of the cocoon-feeding means.

'7. In a silk-reeling machine, the combination of a basin for liquid,means for reeling a thread of predetermined size from filamentsdelivering from a plurality of cocoons ioatingl in the basin, means forfeeding fresh cocoons into the basin, power-operated means for actuatingthe cocoonfeeding means, a clutch for connecting the poweroperated meanswith the actuating means, detentmeans for normally maintaining theclutch inoperative, and means contacting with opposite sides of thethread being reeled and actuated when the thickness of the thread isreduced below the predetermined size to operate the detentmeans torelease the clutch to operate the cocoonfeeding means.

8. In a silk-reeling machine, the combination of a basin for liquid,means for reeling a thread of predetermined size from filamentsdelivering from a plurality of cocoons floating in the basin, means forfeeding fresh cocoons into the basin, a shaft for operating the feedingmeans, continuously driven means for rotating the shaft, a frictionclutch for connecting the rotating means with the shaft, means fornormally maintaining the clutch inoperative, and a detector engagingopposite sides of the thread being reeled and ac- Atuated upon reductionin the diameter of the thread below the predetermined size to connectthe clutch to operate the cocoon-feeding means. f

9. In a silk-reeling machine, the combination of a basin for liquid,means for reeling a thread of predetermined size from laments deliveringfrom a plurality of cocoons oating in the basin, means to feed freshcocoons into the basin, a cam for operating the feeding means, means forrotating the cam, a clutch for connecting the rotating means with thecam, detent-means for maintaining the clutch disconnected,electricallycontrolled means for releasing the detent-means,

an electrical circuit therefor, and means con-.

tacting with opposite sides of the .thread being reeled and actuatedupon reduction in the thickness of the thread below the predeterminedsize to close the circuit to the electrically-controlled means.

10. In a silk-reelingmachine, the combination of a basin for liquid,means for reeling filaments from a plurality of cocoons floating in thebasin, means for feeding fresh cocoons into the basin, means foroperating the feeding means, a clutch for controlling the operation ofthe feeding means, a lever for maintaining the clutch inoperative, aknock-off lever for releasing the clutch-lever, a toothed wheel foractuating the knock-off lever, an electromagnet for engaging theknock-off lever with the toothed wheel, and means actuated upon breakageor exhaustion of one of the iilaments to energize the electromagnet.

ll. In a silk-reeling machine, the combination of a basin for liquid,means for reeling a thread composed of filaments from cocoons floatingin the basin, electrically-controlled means iorsupplying fresh cocoonsto the basin, an electrical circuit for said means, means for energizingthe electrical means upon breakage or exhaustion of 4a filament feedingto-the reeling means,` means for arresting the reeling operation uponbreakage of the thread or exhaustion of its supply, and means actuatedby the arrestment of the reeling operation to open the circuit to theelectricallycontrolled means.

12. In a silk-reeling machine, the combination of a basin for liquid,means for reeling a thread composed of filaments from cocoons floatingin the basin, means for feeding fresh cocoons into the basin,electrically-controlled means for actuating the feeding means, anelectrical circuit for said means, a detector operative to close saidcircuit upon breakage or exhaustion of a filament leading to the thread,electrically-controlled means for arresting the reeling operation uponbreakage or exhaustion of the thread, and means actuated therefrom toopen the circuit for the cocoon-feeding controlling means.

13. In a silk-reeling machine, the combination of a basin for liquid,means for reeling iilaments from cocoons floating in the basin, meansfor circulating liquid through the basin, a gate for controlling thecirculation of the liquid through the basin, and means forintermittently opening the gate to discharge spent cocoons from thebasin.

14. In a silk-reeling machine, the combination `of a basin for liquid,means for reeling filaments from cocoons oating in the basin, means forcirculating liquid through the reeling basin, a iiushing chamberconnected with the reeling basin, a gate separating the flushing chamberfrom the reeling basin, and mea-ns for periodically opening the gate todischarge spent cocoons from the reeling basin into the flushingchamber.

15. In a silk-reeling machine, the combination of a basin for liquid,means for reeling filaments from cocoons floating in the basin, meansfor circulating liquid through the reeling basin, a flushing chamberconnected with the reeling basin,

a gate between the reeling basin and flushing chamber, means forperiodically opening the gate to discharge spent cocoons from thereeling basin into the flushing chamber, a door in the flushing chamber,and means for periodically `opening the door to drain the ilushingchamber.

16. In a silk-reeling machine, the combination of a basin for liquid,meansfor reeling filaments from cocoons floating in the basin, means forcirculating liquid through the basin, a flushing alaaece chamberconnected with the basin, a gate be-.

tween the reeling basin and flushing chamber, said gate formed withrestricted openings to permit the liquid to flow therethough to maintaina predetermined level in the reeling basin, and means for periodicallyopening the gate to cause the flow of liquid to discharge spent cocoonsfrom i the reeling basin into the flushing chamber.

17. In a silk-reeling machine; the combination of a basin for liquid,means for reeling filaments from cocoons floating in the basin, meansfor circulating liquid through the basin, a ushing chamber connected tothe basin, a gate between the'i'eeling basin and flushing chamber, meansfor periodically opening the gate to discharge spent cocoons from thereeling basin into the ,flushing chamber, an overow conduit leading fromthe iiushing chamber, a door in the bottom of the flushing chamber, andmeans for periodically opening the door after the closing of the gate.

18. In a silk-reeling machine, the combination of a basin for liquid,means for reeling filaments from cocoons floating in the basin, meansfor circulating liquid through the basin, a flushing chamber, means fordebouching the liquid from the reeling basin into the flushing chamber,and means operative thereafter for exhausting the liquid from theilushing chamber.

19. In a silk-reeling machine, the combination of a basin for liquid,means for, reeling filaments from cocoons floating in the basin, meansfor supplying liquid to the basin, a gate, means for periodicallyopening the gate to exhaust the liquid from the basin, andmanually-operable means for arresting the operation of the gateopeningmeans.

20. In a silk-reeling machine, the combination `of a basin for liquid,means for reeling filaments from cocoons oating in the basin, acompartment for reserve cocoons, a raceway leading from the reservecompartment to the reeling basin, means at the end of the raceway forfeeding the .foremost cocoon into the reeling basin, means for actuatingthe feeding means uponbreakage or exhaustion of one of the filamentsbeing reeled, and means for rocking the raceway to advance the cocoonsto the feeding means.

2l. In a silk-reeling machine, the combination of a basin for liquid,means for reeling filaments frorncocoons floating in the basin, araceway leading to the basin, means for feeding the foremost cocoon fromthe raceway into the reeling basin, means for oscillating the raceway,and means vfor operating the cocoon-feeding means from the oscillationof the raceway.

22. In a silk-reeling machine, the combination of a basin for liquid,means for reeling filaments from cocoons floating in the basin, araceway leading to the basin, a rockable feeding bucket at the end ofthe raceway, and means to oscillate the raceway to rock the feedingbucket to transfer cocoons into the basin.

23. In a silk-reeling machine, the combinameansfor connecting thefilament from a fresh cocoon to the filaments being reeled, scrapermeans through which the filaments draw, and means -for withdrawing thescraper means from operative position during the transfer of a freshcocoon into the reeling basin. l

26. In a silk-reeling machine, the combination of. a basin for liquid,means for reeling filaments from cocoons oating in the basin, means forfeeding fresh cocoons into the reeling basin, means engaging the reelinglaments to scrape the liquid therefrom, and means for releasing saidscraping means from the filaments during the transfer of a fresh cocooninto the reeling basin. 27. In a silk-reeling machine, the combinationof. a basin for liquid, means for reeling a thread of predetermined'size from filaments unwinding from cocoons floating in the basin, meanscone tacting with opposite sides of the thread and movable diametricallythereof under variations which the reeling thread feeds, .a detector oppposed to the fixed element to bear against the thread and adapted to bemoved upon the occur rence of variations in the thickness thereof,

means for feeding fresh cocoons into the basin,V

and means actuated by the movement of the detector upon variations inthickness of the thread `to controlthe operation of the cocoon-feedingmeans.

29. In a silk-reeling machine, the combination of a basin, means forreeling a thread of pre` determined .size from filaments unwinding fromcocoons in the basin, detector means contacting with oppositev sides of`the thread being reeled and relatively movable under Variations in thesize thereof, means for feeding fresh cocoons into the basin,electrically-energized means for operating the cocoon-feeding means, anormally open circuit, and means actuated by the relative movement ofthedetector means to close the circuit to energize said operating means.

30. In a silk-reeling machine, the combination of a plurality ofcocoons, means for reeling a thread composed of. filaments from saidplurality of cocoons, electrically-controlled means for supplying freshcocoons to s'aid plurality of cocoons, an electrical circuit for saidmeans, means for energizing the electrically-controlled means uponbreakage or exhaustion of a filament feeding to the reeling means, meansfor arresting the reeling operation upon breakage of the thread orexhaustion of its supply, and means actuated on the arrestment of' thereeling operation to open the circuit to the electrically-controlledmeans.

31. In a silk-reeling machine, the combination of a plurality ofcocoons, means for reeling a thread composed of filaments from saidpluralityA of cocoons, means for supplying fresh cocoons to saidplurality of cocoons, electrically-controlled means for actuating thesupply means, an electrical circuit for said means, a detector operativeto close said circuit upon breakage or exhaustion of a filament leadingto the thread, electricallycontrolled means for arresting the reelingoperation upon breakage'or exhaustion of the thread,

and means actuated therefrom to open the circmt GUSTAF SIGFRID vBECKMAN.

